Also remember that the blunt weapons or sticks are striking at particular points to the body that are also susseptable to jabs, thrusts, and strikes with the hands, which should enlighten you to the fact that empty hand practice and weapons practice are complimentary.

I am not saying you should beat yourself up to the point that the hands are deadened objects of flesh, but then again, you should have some concept of taking movements from weapons practice and applying it to empty hands too.

You don't always have a weapon, but you always have your hands and feet with you ... unless you want to go into amputation or birth defects, but I would leave that small percentage alone. They always have friends with hands and feet who are willing to step in.